Safety Pin Apparatus and Methods of Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

A novel safety pin apparatus which combines a safety pin member, which can be used to pierce a fabric or a clothing item, without doing substantial damage, along with a safety pin cap, which protects the user from being stuck or stabbed by a safety pin member on the safety pin apparatus, once the safety pin apparatus has been properly located and the pin protecting device has been installed. The novel safety pin apparatus is used to hold together a shirt or blouse, hold an item such as a boutonniere to a suit coat, or merely for decorative purposes, among other uses.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

This application claims priority from U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 16/364,623, filed Mar. 26, 2019, which claims priority fromU.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/074,601, filed Mar. 18,2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application62/134,973, filed Mar. 18, 2015, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure pertains to a safety pin apparatus and methodsfor using the safety pin apparatus. In particular, the safety pinapparatus combines a safety pin member, which has a sharp point that canbe used to pierce a fabric or a clothing item, along with a safety pincap, which protects the user from being stuck or stabbed by the safetypin member once the safety pin apparatus has been properly located andthe safety pin cap has been properly attached or installed. The novelsafety pin apparatus can be used to hold together a shirt or blouse, orto hold an item, such as a boutonniere to a suit coat, or merely fordecorative purposes, among other uses.

The present disclosure protects both the user, who is the individualinserting the safety pin apparatus into the clothing item, and thewearer of the safety pin apparatus. Oftentimes, those two individualsmay be one and the same. In order to provide the functionality andprotections sought, the safety pin apparatus comprises a head portion atone end of the apparatus, a body portion and a safety pin member at theother end of the apparatus. The safety pin member comes to a sharp orconical point at that end of the apparatus. The safety pin member issmall enough to pierce fabric or an item of clothing without doing anydamage to the fabric or item of clothing.

Formed on the safety pin member is a first coupling element, which maycomprise screw threads, an indent, a detent, or any other shape ordevice that will allow for a separate safety pin cap to be placed overand cover the sharp or conical point of the safety pin member and to beattached or affixed to the safety pin member. The safety pin cap can beany size or shape and comprises a housing defining a recess containing asecond coupling element, configured to receive the first couplingelement of the safety pin member, so that the safety pin cap will coverthe safety pin member when it is attached or affixed to the firstcoupling element.

BACKGROUND

A straight pin can be used to fasten together many objects, includingtwo or more separate pieces of fabric or cloth, or other types ofclothing items. Straight pins can be used temporarily, for a quick fixof a tear or to hold two or more clothing items in place while theclothing items are sewn together, upon which time the straight pins canbe removed. Straight pins can also remain in the clothing items to holdthe separate pieces of clothing together or to attach an item, such as aboutonniere to the clothing item. However, in these types of uses, thesharp point of the straight pin, which is necessary for piercing theclothing items, may stab the user or the individual wearing the clothingitem.

Likewise, safety pins are commonly used to fasten pieces of fabric oritems of clothing together, while also protecting the user or wearerfrom being stabbed or stuck by the point of the pin. Similarly, safetypins can be used to repair torn or damaged clothing items or to holdtogether clothing items while repairs are made.

As such, the safety pin is a variation of the regular pin which includesa simple spring mechanism and a clasp. The clasp serves to form a closedloop thereby properly fastening the pin to whatever clothing item it hasbeen attached or affixed to while at the same time, covering the pointof the pin to protect the user and wearer from the point of the pin.However, safety pins are bulky and unattractive, usually with theprotective clasp being much larger than the safety pin member. Sincethese devices are used temporarily, in most cases, there is no need tomake them more attractive or smaller. Further, when used in a placewhere others will see the safety pin, the user usually tries to insertthe safety pin in a manner that will hide the clasp portion.

What is needed is a safety pin apparatus that can pierce through fabric,cloth or a clothing item without doing damage or substantial damage,which also comprises a safety pin cap. The safety pin cap will allow forattachment to a safety pin member of the safety pin apparatus, coveringthe sharp pin point, and protecting the user from being stuck or stabbedby the safety pin member. Because the safety pin apparatus can be amultitude of designs, it can function to hold together a shirt orblouse, or hold an item, such as a boutonniere, to a suit coat, or canbe used merely for decorative purposes, among other uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is a novel safety pin apparatus and methods forusing the safety pin apparatus, which can be used to hold together ashirt or blouse, hold an item, such as a boutonniere, to a suit coat, ormerely for decorative purposes, among other uses. The novel safetyapparatus combines a head portion, safety pin member having a sharp orconical pin point, which can be used to pierce the apparatus into andthrough fabric or a clothing item without doing any substantial ornoticeable damage (similar to a straight pin); along with a safety pincap, which once properly placed to cover the safety pin member, willprotect the user from being stuck or stabbed by the conical pin point.The present disclosure uses the combined items to protect both the user,which is usually the individual inserting the safety pin apparatus intothe clothing item, and the wearer of the safety pin apparatus.Oftentimes, the user and the wearer are one and the same individual.

In particular, the safety pin apparatus comprises a head portion at oneend of the apparatus, a body portion, and a safety pin member at theother end of the apparatus. The safety pin member comes to a sharp orconical point at that end of the apparatus. The safety pin member issmall enough to pierce through a fabric or an item of clothing withoutdoing any damage to the fabric or item of clothing. Formed on theconical pin point is a first coupling element, which may comprise one ofthe following: screw threads, an indent, a detent, or any other shape ordevice that will allow for a separate safety pin cap to be placed overand cover the conical pin point. Additionally, the safety pin capcomprises a housing, which defines a recess containing a second couplingelement that is configured to receive the safety pin member and thefirst coupling element, and secure them within the safety pin cap.Although in the preferred embodiment, the head portion is separate fromthe safety pin cap, in an alternative embodiment, the head portion andthe separate safety pin cap are connected by a chain or other connectionmechanism, to reduce the chance of losing the safety pin cap when theyare separated, such as during storage or non-use.

The safety pin cap can be any size or shape, and defines a recesscontaining a second coupling element which will cover the safety pinmember, specifically the sharp or conical pin point, when the safety pincap is attached or affixed to the coupling element. As an example, ifthe first coupling element comprises screw threads, then the secondcoupling element within the recess of the safety pin cap will comprisescrew threads that are complimentary to and will mate with the screwthreads of the coupling element. In such an example, the safety pin capwill be placed onto the safety pin member such that the point of thesafety pin member enters the recess and is covered by the safety pin capand then the safety pin cap can be rotated or screwed into locationusing the screw threads to hold the safety pin cap in place. Alternativeembodiments include, for example, a first coupling element comprising adetent or indent and a second coupling element comprising clasp ball andrelease device, among others.

Further, the head portion of the novel safety pin apparatus can be ajewel, brooch, or any other design or item since the head portion willshow when the safety pin apparatus is worn. The safety pin cap can alsobe a jewel, brooch or any other design, including the same design as thehead portion for symmetrical purposes. In use, the safety pin apparatuswill be worn on clothing items such that both the head portion and thesafety pin cap will be noticeable to others.

Other objects and advantages of the present novel apparatus will becomeapparent to one having ordinary skill in the art after reading thespecification in light of the drawing figures, however, the spirit andscope of the present novel apparatus should not be limited to thedescription of the embodiments contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a prior art safety pin;

FIG. 2 shows a prior art tie bar;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a safety pin apparatus in accordance with anembodiment of the present novel apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows a safety pin apparatus in accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present novel apparatus;

FIG. 5 shows a safety pin apparatus in accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present novel apparatus;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a safety pin apparatus in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present novel apparatus; and

FIG. 7 shows examples of various external designs and shapes that maydefine alternative embodiments of the safety pin cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As stated above, the present novel apparatus is a novel safety pinapparatus and methods for using the safety pin apparatus. The objectiveof the novel safety pin apparatus is to hold together a shirt or blouse,affix an article to an item of clothing, or be used merely fordecorative purposes, among other uses, and to protect the user and/orwearer from being stuck or stabbed by the point of the safety pinapparatus.

FIG. 1 is a prior art safety pin 10 commonly used to fasten pieces offabric or items of clothing together, while also protecting the user orwearer from being stabbed or stuck by the point of the pin 12. Thesafety pin is a variation of the straight pin which includes a simplespring mechanism 14 and a clasp 16. The clasp 16 serves to form a closedloop thereby properly fastening the pin 10 to whatever clothing item ithas been attached or affixed to, and at the same time, to cover thepoint of the pin 12 to protect the user and wearer from the point of thepin 12. However, safety pins 10 are bulky and unattractive, usually withthe protective clasp 16 being much larger than the pin 12 portion. Sincethese devices 10 are mostly for temporary use, in most cases, there isno need to make them more attractive or smaller. Further, when used in aplace where others will see the safety pin 10, the user usually tries toinsert the safety pin 10 in a manner that will hide the clasp portion16.

FIG. 2 is also prior art; a collar bar 20 for properly positioning atie, in which one end of the device contains a ball or some other design22, that can be removed from the collar bar 20 by unscrewing. The barportion 24 can be threaded through existing holes in a shirt (notshown), and the ball 22 can then be screwed back onto the bar 24 of thecollar bar 20. Once in place, the collar bar 20 holds the user's tieabove the collar bar 20.

FIG. 3A is a novel safety pin apparatus 30, which can be used to holdtogether a shirt or blouse, or attach or affix an item, such as aboutonniere, to a suit coat, or merely be used for decorative purposes,among others. The novel safety pin apparatus 30 combines a head portion32 at one end of the safety pin apparatus 30, a pin body 34 in themiddle, and a safety pin member 36 at the other end of the safety pinapparatus 30, with the safety pin member 36 further comprising a sharpor conical pin point 38 at the distal end. The sharp or conical pinpoint 38 allows the safety pin member 36 and some of the pin body 34 tobe inserted into and through a fabric or a clothing item.

Formed on the conical pin point 38, at the proximal end of the safetypin member 36, is a first coupling element 40, which may comprise firstscrew threads 41, an indent of various shapes, a detent, or any othershape or device that will allow for attachment of a separate safety pincap 42. The safety pin cap 42 is configured to be placed over some orall of the safety pin member 36 and may also cover some of the pin body34. The function of the safety pin cap 42 is to cover the conical pinpoint 38 when attached or affixed to the safety pin member 36 by usingthe first coupling element 40. The safety pin cap 42 is configured witha recess 44 (shown with cut-away), which can receive the entire conicalpin point 38, some or all of the safety pin member 36 and possibly someor all of the pin body 34. The safety pin cap 42 further comprises asecond coupling element 46, which is located inside the recess 44. Thesecond coupling element 46 is configured to connect to or with the firstcoupling element 40, by mating with the first screw threads 41 of thefirst coupling element 40 using complementary second threads 47, forexample, in order to hold the safety pin member 36 and pin body 34 inplace with respect to the safety pin cap 42, as shown in FIG. 3B.

Although complementary first and second screw threads 41, 47 aredescribed as being used on the first and second coupling elements 40, 46in the example above, other types of coupling elements can beincorporated into the novel safety pin apparatus without deviating fromthe scope of the invention, such as indents and detents for the firstcoupling element, and clasp and ball releases for the second couplingelements, etc. and vice versa.

Although in the preferred embodiment, the head portion 32 is separatefrom the safety pin cap 42, in an alternative embodiment, the headportion 32 and the separate safety pin cap 42 are connected by a chainor other connection mechanism 52. This chain 52 reduces the chance oflosing the safety pin cap 42 when the head portion 32 and the safety pincap 42 are separated, such as during storage or non-use.

As described herein, FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which thefirst coupling element 48 comprises one or more indents 49 instead offirst screw threads, as shown in FIG. 3A and described above. Further,the second coupling element 50 comprises one or more tabs 51, which arelocated in a position in the recess 44, such that when the entireconical pin point 38, some or all of the safety pin member 36 andpossibly some or all of the pin body 34 are inserted into the recess 44,and the one or more indents 49 of the first coupling element 48 areconnected to or with the corresponding one or more tabs 51 of the secondcoupling element 50 for example by turning a quarter revolution, thesafety pin member 36 and pin body 34 will be held in place with respectto the safety pin cap 42.

FIG. 5 shows yet another alternative embodiment in which the firstcoupling element 54 comprises a circular indent 55, which in thisexample is located 360 degrees around the safety pin member 36, insteadof first screw threads 49, as shown in FIG. 3A. Further, in the recess44, is a second coupling element 56, which comprises an attachment ball58, an attachment spring 60 and an attachment button 62. The attachmentbutton 62 further comprises an attachment indent 64.

The second coupling element 56 is configured such that when the userdepresses the attachment button 62, the attachment spring 60 allows theattachment indent 64 to move the attachment ball 58 away from the recessarea 44. At that time, the coupling element 54 can be located inside therecess 44 and in the proper position. Once the user lets go of theattachment button 62, the attachment spring 60 forces the attachmentbutton 62 and attachment indent 64 into a location in which theattachment ball 58 locks the coupling element 54 in place until theattachment button is again depressed. Once locked in place, the entireconical pin point 38, some or all of the safety pin member 36 andpossibly some or all of the pin body 34 will be held in place withrespect to the safety pin cap 42. The alternative embodiment of FIG. 5contemplates a single second coupling element within the safety pin cap,but also contemplates multiple second coupling elements 56 within safetypin cap 42, to allow for usage of the apparatus from a variety oforientations.

FIG. 6A shows a cut-away version of yet another alternative embodimentwhere a first coupling element 70, formed on a conical point 82, is adetent 83. The embodiment further comprises a safety pin member 72, asafety pin cap 74, and a second coupling element 76 within a recess 78of the safety pin cap 74. The second coupling element 76 furthercomprise a detent ball 80, a slidable wedge 85, an attachment spring 84,and a spring biased release member 86. All of these elements can behoused in a housing cap 88.

The second coupling element 76 is configured so that the detent ball 80is in contact with the first coupling element 70 when the safety pinmember 72 rests in the recess 78, thereby creating a fit between thedetent ball 80 and the detent 83 of the conical pin point 82, holdingthe safety pin member 72 within the recess 78 of the safety pin cap 74.The alternative embodiment of FIG. 6 contemplates a single secondcoupling element 76 within the safety pin cap 74, but also contemplatesmultiple second coupling elements 76 within safety pin cap 74, to allowfor usage of the apparatus from a variety of orientations. FIG. 6B showsthe example safety pin apparatus 30 using a detent as a couplingelement.

Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and described above, when theuser depresses the spring biased release member 86, the attachmentspring 84 allows the slidable wedge 85 to move the detent ball 80 awayfrom the recess 78. At that time, the first coupling element 70,comprising the detent 83, can be located inside the recess 78 and in theproper position. Once the user lets go of the spring biased releasemember 86, the attachment spring 84 forces the slidable wedge 85 into aposition that places the detent ball 80 into contact with the detent 83of the first coupling element 70, thereby creating a fit, until thespring biased release member 86 is again depressed. Once locked inplace, the entire conical pin point 82, some or all of the firstcoupling element 70, and some or all of the safety pin member 72 will beheld in place with respect to the safety pin cap 74.

FIG. 7 shows a number of different possible designs and shapes that thesafety pin cap 74 may embody. The embodiments allow for variation inornamentation of the safety pin cap 74, but are still capable ofcomprising any of the second coupling elements described above, or anyother attachment elements, fixtures and mechanisms that may be employed.One having ordinary skill in the art would understand that these andother designs and shapes, not shown in FIG. 7, could be used in themanner described herein, and therefore a depiction of a limited numberof designs is not intended to limit the scope of possible embodiments.

The present disclosure also contemplates a method for protecting theuser or wearer of the safety pin apparatus 30. As an example and withreference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the steps of the novel method includeremoving the safety pin cap 42 from the pin body 34 by holding the pinhead portion 32 and rotating or unscrewing the safety pin cap 42 in acounterclockwise direction until the screw threads 47 of the secondcoupling element 46 completely disengage from the screw threads 41 ofthe first coupling element 40. To the extent another type of first orsecond coupling device or instrument has been used, the safety pin cap42 should be removed using the necessary steps for that particularinstrument.

Once removed, the safety pin apparatus 30 can pierce the fabric orclothing item (not shown). First, the user locates the position wherethe safety pin apparatus 30 will be utilized on the fabric or clothingitem. Then, using the conical pin point 38 on the safety pin member 36,the user inserts the entire conical pin point 38 into the fabric orclothing item and pushes the entire conical pin point 38, the entirefirst coupling element 40, some or all of the safety pin member 36 andpossibly some or all of the pin body 34 through the fabric or clothingitem and into a second fabric, clothing item or even into anotherlocation on the same fabric or clothing item.

Once the entire conical pin point 38, the entire first coupling element40, some or all of the safety pin member 36 and possibly some or all ofthe pin body 34 has travelled through the intended fabric or clothingitem, the safety pin cap 42 can be placed over the conical pin point 38by placing the conical pin point 38 into the recess 44. Once the conicalpin point 38 is properly located in the recess 44, the safety pin cap 42can be attached to the first coupling element 40 by reversing theearlier step, i.e., screwing the safety pin cap into place, or using thenecessary steps to lock the safety pin cap 42 in place, with respect tothe sharp or conical pin point 38, the safety pin member 36, the pinbody 34 and the pin head portion 32.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been describedin detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit the disclosure to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure, as described inthe appended claims.

1. A safety pin apparatus for piercing a front side of a woman's blouse,capable of said piercing without causing damage to the front side ofsaid woman's blouse, wherein said safety pin apparatus comprises: asafety pin member, said safety pin member having a first housing, saidsafety pin member having a first end and a second end and a safety pinmember length, said first end having a conical portion and a firstcoupling element, said first coupling element comprising a detent, saidsecond end attached to said first housing, said safety pin memberdefining a longitudinal axis; a safety pin cap, wherein said safety pincap comprises: a second housing, said second housing defining a couplingrecess having a coupling recess length along said longitudinal axis,said coupling recess configured to receive said first coupling element,said coupling recess length being less than said safety pin memberlength; and a second coupling element, said second coupling elementlocated within said coupling recess, said second coupling elementconfigured to receive and secure said first coupling element within saidcoupling recess, wherein said conical end is configured to pierce afirst location of said front side of said woman's blouse without damageand a second location of said front side of said woman's blouse withoutdamage, thereby holding the first location of said front side of saidwoman's blouse near the second location of said front side of saidwoman's blouse without damaging the front side of said woman's blouse.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said first coupling elementcomprises a threaded portion; and said second coupling element comprisesmating threads corresponding to said threaded portion of said firstcoupling element.
 3. The safety pin apparatus apparatus of claim 1,wherein: said second coupling element comprises a detent ball.
 4. Thesafety pin apparatus apparatus of claim 3, wherein: said second couplingelement further comprises a spring biased release member extending outof said housing.
 5. The safety pin apparatus apparatus of claim 4,wherein: a slidable wedge is rigidly coupled to said spring biasedrelease member, wherein said slidable wedge is positioned relative tosaid detent ball such that a change in pressure on said spring biasedrelease member results in a change in pressure of said detent ball uponsaid detent.
 6. The safety pin apparatus apparatus of claim 1, wherein:said second coupling element comprises a tab being substantially alignedwith said detent when a portion of said first coupling element isinserted into said coupling recess.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The safety pinapparatus apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said first housing and saidsecond housing are connected by a connection mechanism.
 9. The safetypin apparatus apparatus of claim 8, wherein said connection mechanism isa chain.
 10. A method of piercing a front side of a woman's blouse witha safety pin apparatus without damaging said front side of said woman'sblouse, the method comprising the steps of: a) removing a safety pinmember from a safety pin cap, said safety pin member having a firsthousing, a first end and a second end, and a safety pin member length,said first end comprising a conical portion and a first couplingelement, said first coupling element comprising a detent, said secondend attached to said first housing, said safety pin member defining alongitudinal axis, said safety pin cap comprises a second housing, saidsecond housing defining a coupling recess having a coupling recesslength along said longitudinal axis, said coupling recess configured toreceive said first coupling element, said coupling recess length beingless than said safety pin member length, and a second coupling element,said second coupling element located within said coupling recess, saidsecond coupling element configured to receive and secure said firstcoupling element within said coupling recess; b) inserting said conicalend and said first coupling element of said safety pin member through afirst location of said front side of said woman's blouse so that aportion of said coupling element extends therethrough, wherein saidconical end pierces said first location of said front side of saidwoman's blouse without damage; c) inserting said conical end and saidfirst coupling element of said safety pin member through a secondlocation of said front side of said woman's blouse so that a portion ofsaid coupling element extends therethrough, wherein said conical endpierces said second location of said front side of said woman's blousewithout damage; and d) attaching said safety pin cap to said firstcoupling element, thereby holding the first location of said front sideof said woman's blouse near the second location of said front side ofsaid woman's blouse without damaging the front side of said woman'sblouse.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprisesthe steps of: removing said safety pin member from said safety pin capby rotating said safety pin cap until said safety pin cap is disengagedfrom said coupling element; and attaching said safety pin cap byinserting said coupling element into a coupling recess of said safetypin cap and rotating said safety pin cap in an opposite direction thanperformed in the removal step until said safety pin cap is engaged withsaid coupling element.
 12. The method of piercing a front side of awoman's blouse with a safety pin apparatus without damaging said frontside of said woman's blouse of claim 10, wherein the method furthercomprises the steps of: removing said safety pin member from said safetypin cap by applying a first force to a spring biased release mechanismdisposed in said safety pin cap; and attaching said safety pin cap byapplying a second force to said spring biased release mechanism,inserting said coupling element into said coupling recess, and removingsaid second force.
 13. A safety pin apparatus, capable of piercing amaterial without causing damage, wherein said safety pin apparatuscomprises: a safety pin member, said safety pin member having a firstand a second end, said first end having a conical portion and a detent,said safety pin member defining a longitudinal axis; a safety pin cap,wherein said safety pin cap comprises: a housing, said housing defininga coupling recess configured to receive said conical portion; and acoupling element configured to receive and secure said conical portionwithin said coupling recess.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:said coupling element comprises a ball.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein: said coupling element further comprises a spring biased releasemember extending out of said housing.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein: a slidable wedge is rigidly coupled to said spring biasedrelease member, wherein said slidable wedge is positioned relative tosaid ball such that a change in pressure on said spring biased releasemember results in a change in pressure of said ball upon said safety pinmember.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: a second safety pin capis located on said second end of said safety pin member.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein: said safety pin member and said safetypin cap are connected by a connection mechanism.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein said connection mechanism is a chain.